More than 80% of the community agents participated in the 15 physical, cognitive and social self-care sessions, which are being implemented in coordination with the Community Mental Health Centers of Carabayllo, Asiri and Wiñay in the districts of Carabayllo and Comas.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rates of anxiety, stress and depression rose rapidly. Not only for patients suffering from any disease, but also for family members, caregivers and community health workers (CHWs). The ACS play a leading role in health care and accompaniment, taking charge of medication, medical visits, care, hygiene, nutrition, among others. They assume a physical and psychological burden of emotions, experiences, joys and challenges throughout the treatment.
In view of this, since July 2020, the Chronic Mental Disorder project of the Mental Health Program of Socios En Salud, in alliance with the ‘Carabayllo’, ‘ASIRI’ and ‘Wiñay’ Community Mental Health Centers in the districts of Carabayllo and Comas, designed different self-care sessions for the benefit of the ACS of patients with chronic mental disorder (CMD).
“We are living through very complicated times, due to the limitations generated by COVID-19, which means adapting to new circumstances. These changes have caused both mental and emotional health problems. Therefore, it is important to have spaces, where tools are provided to face difficulties and adopt for a healthy lifestyle,” added Milagros Tapia, coordinator of the Chronic Mental Disorder project.
This initiative aims to preserve the physical and mental health of the ACS through trainings, emotional support and self-care sessions that allow strengthening their personal and social skills, key components to face difficult situations during the follow-up of patients with CMD. These sessions take place 3 times a week with a duration of 2 hours; they are also led by the psychologists of the project.
For her part, Teresa Tello, community agent of the Mental Health program tells us that for her it is comforting to help patients “It is rewarding to participate in these sessions that not only address issues related to the monitoring of users with mental disorders, but also where we share daily experiences of ourselves, which enrich our knowledge in the face of adverse situations that we live daily”.
At Socios En Salud, we are aware of how rewarding it is to help others; however, it is important for everyone to take care of their own physical and mental health. For this reason, we will continue to safeguard the life and integrity of our patients and allies.